How psychologists can contribute to educational research in multiple modalities.

Abstract

College students are increasingly receiving more options for achieving their educational goals, some of which include modalities such as asynchronous online courses, blended/ hybrid courses, and synchronous remote courses. While quality research has investigated variables related to teaching and learning, more work could be done to apply this research to education in multiple modalities. Psychologists study many areas that relate to teaching and learning, and also receive extensive training in human-subjects research. In this Pedagogical Points to Ponder essay, we describe three areas where psychologists can contribute to future educational research in multiple modalities: research that aims to improve educational performance, research that investigates the educational experience, and research that investigates teaching methods and pedagogies. All of this research could be applied to multiple stakeholder groups in higher education, such as students and faculty members. As modality options for education continue to grow, we encourage psychologists to consider how they could use their skills to contribute to teaching and learning.